Knitting machine



De@ 24, 14935. v. LOMBARDI 2,025,463

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17 19:54 14 sheets-Sheet 1 25 1,2; Jag e2 l,e5 21 ai@ .5f 24 40 5r i0 r l 37, l ,I 35a, 33 i l v 7' Dec. 24, 1935.v.'| oMBARDl KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 edelf we# al Dec. 24, 1935. v. LOMBARDI KNIITING MACHINE Filed April 17,1934 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 V. LOMBARDI Dec. 24, 1935.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1954 14 sheetssheet 4 Dec. 24, 1935; v.LOMBARDI' 2,025,463-

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec? 24, 1935. vLOMBARDI 2,025,463

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1954 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 2,025,463 35 v,LOMBARDI Dec. 24, v KNITTING MACHINE -sneet 7 Filed April 17, 1934 1 4Sheets V. LOMBARDI Bec. Z4, 1935.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 1'?, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 90N i M u MMW?. n

Dec. 24, 1935.

V. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1934 14 Sheet'S-She 9 Dec.24, 1935. v. Uma/mmV 2,025,463

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Apil 17, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet l0 v. LOMBARDI2,025,463 I Dec. 24, 1935.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet ll www..

V. LOMBARDI Dec.I 24, 1935.`

KNITTING MACHINE FiledA April '17, 1934 14 sheets-sheet 12l WSW...

1 1 SELJ:

Dec. 24, 1935. v. I OMBRDI 2,025,463

KNITTING MACHINE l Filed April 17, 1954 14 Sheets-Shel??I 15 V. LOMBARDII Dec. 24, 1935.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1934 14 Sheets-Shet 14 'A Patented Dec.24, 1935 UNITED STATES QFFCE KNITTING MAC Application April 17, 1934,Serial No. 729,921

29 Claims.

` This invention relates to knitting machines and is in part acontinuation of my co-pending application Serial No. 680,168, led July13, 1933.

An object of the invention is the production of improved mechanismwhereby there may be produced knitted fabric embodying a wide variety ofdesigns.

A further object is the provision of knitting mechanism which possessesa high degree of simplicity with'relation to character of work to beperformed.

A still further object is to provide knitting mechanism which iseconomical of construction, certain in operation, capable of a wideVariety of uses, and adapted eiciently and eiectively to eifectuate thepurposes for which it is intended.

Other objects of the invention will in part -be obvious and 'will inpart appear hereinafter.

lThe invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relationand order vof one or more of such steps with respect to each of theothers, and the apparatus embodying features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted toeffect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detaileddisclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicatedin the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had tothe following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of one' form ofknitting machine embodying the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views showing the parts in differentpositions;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view along the line I-l in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating certain modications;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in diiferentpositions;

Fig.v 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing flu'- ther modiiications; l

Fig. 9 is o. view simnar to Fig. 1 showing another modiied form ofmechanism and including a showing of a needle and sinker;

Fig. 10 is a. horizontal sectional view along the line lli-I0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 10a is a fragmentary` vertical sectional view showing a form ofmechanism which may be utilized to performpa modiiled type 0:!voperation upon the selective elements shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view f (Ci. (i6-50)illustrating a portion of a wiping out mechanism adapted for use inconnection with the arrangement showniin Fig. 9;

Figs. l2 and 13 are sectional views taken re spectively along the linesi2-i2 and I3--l3 in -the direction of the arrows in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14'is a somewhat diagrammatic view i1- lustrating a form of machineembodying the disclosures of Fig. 9 thru 13;

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing a form of ma- 19 chine embodying thedisclosure of Fig. l and including a modified form.l of wiping outmechamsm;

- Fig. 15a is a plan view o a portion of machine shown in Fig. 15; l5Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. l showing a modiiied form of machine;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view looking down along the line i'i-i'i inFig. 16; Y

Fig. 18 is a sectional View along the line I8-I8 20 in Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing a further modication;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view along the line 29-20 in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a horizontal yview showing one form of means'for impartingaselective stepped movement vto the rotary member;

Fig. 22 is a side view of a portion of this mech- 30 Fig. 23 is asectional view along the line 23-23 in Fig. 21;

4 Fig. 24/is a view similar to Fig. 1 showinganother modied form ofmechanism;

Fig. 25 is a similar view taken somewhat for- 35 wardly of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a partly sectional line 26-26 in Fig. 25;

l Fig. 27 is a fragmentary vertical vsectional view illustrating anothermodification;

Fig. 28 is a sectional view along the line 28-28 in Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 27 showing adi-Y ditional positioningof the elements and a modied form/of knitting element;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing mechanism as exemplied inFig. 1 utilized to operate a spring needle;

Fig.v 30a is a fragmentary horizontal section;

View along the Fig. 31 is a view similar to the upper part of 50K Fig.30, showing the needle in another position; Fig. 32 is a similar viewshowing the needle in stm another position; l

Fig. 33 is a diagrammatic showing of a manner of operation.

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form ofconstruction;

Figs. 35 and 36 are similar views showing the l parts in otherpositions;

Fig. 37 is a side view of the cam shown in Figs. 34, 35 and 36;

Fig. 38 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a form of constructionwherein the knitting element and the selective element are unitary;

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showingsinker-operating mechanism;

Fig. 40 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a 'Y further modification;

Fig. 45 is a similar view showing certain of the parts in otherpositions;

"l Fig. 46 is a fragmentary view showing still another positioning ofthe parts;

Figs. 47 and 48 are fragmentary views showing other positions of otherparts;

Fig. 49 is a sectional view along the line 49--49 in Fig. 44 Awithvarious of the parts broken away to reveal the mechanism;

Fig. 50 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 50-50 in Fig. 49;

. Fig. 51 is a view showing mechanism disposed beyond the left-hand endof Fig. 44; and

Figs. 52 and 53 are somewhat diagrammatic horizontal Views of certain ofthe mechanism ishown in Fig. 5l.

Mechanism of the character under consideration ordinarily includes astationary needle bed of cylindrical form and a plurality of unitsrevolving about the cylinder. Commonly, the mechanism is equipped withan even number of revolving yarn feeds and with an actuator unit actingin advance of the passage of each yarn feed. It is to be understood,however, that the needle bed may be of any well known or desired shapeor contour; that either the bed or the units may be movably mounted; andthat va single. yarn feed and unit or any greater number thereof may beutilized without departingA fromV the invention. It is also to beunderstood that the invention in its more generic aspects is adapted foruse Ln connection with the actuation of any desired type of knittingelement whetherl latch needle, beard needle, jack, sinker, yarncontroller or the like.

While a considerable number of means for producing complicated patternsby effectuating movements of knitting elements between a multiplicity ofpositions have beenv devised in the past, these usually involvemechanisms which are extremely complicated and/or involve the use ofarrangements wherein fragile elements are so placed that they areextremely likely to be broken in operation. In spite of the lfact thatthe pattern machines in commonest use have for many years utilizedpattern wheels or other rotating pattern elements to separate -knittingelements and other elements into two positions for subsequentoperations, the use of such rotating elements for multiple positioning,so far as is known, has not occurred to the art even though there hasbeen very considerable activity over a number of years in thedevelopment of mechanisms for the production complicated fabrics. Theinventioncontemplates the use of selective elements individual to eachof a series of knitting elements carried by a needle bed and` arrangedto be mounted for setting movement as 5 on an axis, between amultiplicity of different positions and to be selectively actuated toeffect actuations of the knitting elements in accordance with thesetting thereof, and in response to the passages of a selecting membersuch as a cam 10 element. The invention further contemplates theprovision of actuator means including an element which is rotatableduring relative movement of the needle bed and the actuator means foreffecting a selective setting of the selecl5 tive elements in amultiplicity of positions. Desirably the selective elements are mountedso as to be swingable between said positions. The selective elements andthe knitting elements may Y be made unitary, if desired. or'may beindepend- 20 ent elements either attached or unattached. 'I'he rotaryactuator member may be`a pattern wheel,

pattern drum, or other rotary mechanism of any of a. variety of typesand may be arranged to operate upon a selective portion eitherdirectly25 or indirectly. l

The form'of construction exemplified in Figs.

1, 2, 3 and 4 comprises a needle cylinder 20 having vertical slots 2labout its periphery. In these slots are disposed knitting elements 22held in 30 place by a circular resilient member 23 and are formed attheir lower ends with outwardly-extending portions 24 terminating inbutts 25. 'Ihe knitting elements may be latch needles arranged toreceive yarn from a suitable yarn carrier (such` 35 for instance asshown at 26 in Fig. 15) both when they are in a fully advanced positionor knitting position or when they are in a partially advanced or tuckingposition. While the members 22 are hereinafter described as 40 needles,it will be appreciated that they may be jacks, sinker's, etc. In thisconnection it is to be observed that in certain instances it is theusual practice to omit a needle or other knitting element from one ormore of the slots of 45 a bed, and that references herein to membersindividual to the slots of a series are not to be construed as implyingthat there are,no empty slots.

Beneath cach needle 22, and arranged to work 50 against the portion 24thereof, is a selective element in the form of a rocker 2l. Theserockers, in the present instance, are of a form described and claimed inmy co-pending application Serial No. 720,960, filed herewith.' They arefrictionally held in the slots 2| by means of a bend 28 at their centralportions. They are each, provided with an aligning notch 28 to permittheir alignrnent by an aligning cam. The upper end of each rocker isformed in the present instance with a. nub 29 adapted to be pressedinwardly to adjust the position of the rocker. About the-needle cylinderthere is rotatably mounted an annulus 30 suitably connected in any wellknown or suitable manner to means on which the yarn feeds are 66carried. Mounted on the annulus 30 in advance of each yarn feed is arevolving unit 3l including a shaft 32. On this shaft there is rotatablymounted a pattern wheel 33 including an element 34 having a toothedperiphery 35 adapted 70 to mesh with portions 28 of the rockers 2l sothat the pattern wheel will rotate as it revolves about the cylinder. Itis to be noted that the axis o1' the pattern wheel is parallel to thedirection of needle movement. The pattern wheel itself com" Z6 Drss alower disc 36 and an upper disc 31. In

vthe present instance the disc 36 is formed with slots 31 for thereception of actuator members 38. The discs are held together by nuts 33on the shaft 32. 'I'he disc 31 is formed with a series of notches 40,and the actuators 38 are formedA with projections 4I adapted to seat inthese notches. similar to the number of teeth on the member 34 so thateach notch will,be aligned with the -being provided in such manner thatat certain of the notches 46 actuators 38a are` provided, that at othersactuators 38h are provided, and at still others no actuators areprovided, the arrangement being such as may be desired for a particulartype of knitting operation to be performed.y Accordingly, the patternwheel provides a series of configurations of a multiplicity of types (asshown in Figs. 2, 1 and 3) for eiectuating the setting of the selectiveelements in the multiplicity ot positions shown in these figures. It isto be noted in this connection that the term multiplicity is used hereinas the equivalent of the phrase three or more". j

In actual use, the pattern wheel is put together for the production ofthe particular type of design upon the fabric by inserting actuatorssuch as shown at 38a in some of the slots to provide one type ofconfiguration, by inserting actuators such as shown at 38h in other ofthe slots to provide another type ofA configuration, and by leavingstill others of the slots without actuators to provide a third type ofconguration. After the desired amount of fabric with the particulardesign has been produced, the nut 39 is unscrewed, the disc 31 removedand the arrangement'altered as to give any desired type of selection forthe f next piece of fabric. It will be observed that the re-arrangementof these actuators is a matter of extreme simplicity. It is to be notedthat the long actuators, the short actuators, and the open slots are alldisposed in various relationships about the wheel to provide a variedarrangement v of actuator elements; and that, while two or any largernumber of long actuators, "of short actuators, or of empty slots, may bejuxtaposed on any particular part'of the wheel and still permit such avaried arrangement, the construction exempliedabove and theconstructions exempliiled hereinafter are to be distinguished fromarrangements in which a camming element has a plurality of spaced activeportions arranged progresysively in increasingly or decreasinglydvancedpositions so as to follow a regular cam curve.

As will be seen, if a rocker 21 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 thepattern wheel will act, either to leave the rocker in this position ifthere is no actuator is of the character shown at 38h. Inv

order to move all the actuators to the position shown in Fig. 2 there isprovided a roller 42 acting in advance of the pattern wheel. be seen,the rocker arms are provided with a plurality of shoulders 43 and 44 attheir lower ends` and there is provided a cam 45 for operating them; thesurfaces of the shoulders and the cam being bevelled to assure againsttransverse move- 'I'he number` of slots in the disc 36 isA ment of therockers in the slots. The cam is carried on the supporting annulusadapted to impart, when'the rocker is in either of the positions shownin Figs. 1 and 3, but not when in the position shown in Fig. 2,longitudinal movement 5 to the rocker arm and likewise to the needle orother knitting element. Accordingly, after the passage of the patternwheel, if the rockers have not been otherwise acted upon, they will notbe moved longitudinally or impart longitudinal l0 movement to the.needles or other knitting elements when in the position shown in Fig. 2;but when in the position shown in Fig. 1 the cam 45 will act against theshoulder 43 to partially advance the rocker and the knitting elementwith l5 it, so that if the knitting element is a needle the needle willbe raised to a partially advanced or tucking position; and when in theposition shown in'Fig. 3, the cam 45 will act. on the shoulder 44 tofully advance the'rocker and the knit- 20 ting element with it, so thatif the knittingl element is a needle, the needle may be moved to a fullyadvanced or casting position. Preferably, each cam t5 is disposed aconsiderable distance to the rear of a unit 38 so as to permit the-25setting of the rockers to be wiped out or otherwise changed, if desired,before` the passage of the cam 45. It will thus be seen that theinvention permits the useof a pattern Wheel or other rotating element toimpart selective movements 30 to selective mechanism by an action atright angles to the mechanism and in a manner such 4that the knittingelements are not directly affected, and permits a subsequent action uponthe selective mechanism such that the knitting elements, after suchaction, will be in any of a multiplicity of (three or more) positions.It is to be noted in this connection that'the use of a rotating patternwheel or pattern drum in connection with a seriesof knitting elementswhich is indivisible by the number of actuating spaces on the rotatingelement permits designs with obliquely controlled eects to be obtainedin a manner otherwise impossible except by extraordinarily complicatedmechanism. Such condition obtainswhere the 45 patternwheelcontains'actuating portions about its periphery and the needle cylindercontains slots, as in the exempliied apparatus. It is also to be notedthat, whereas the ordinary pattern wheel acts obliquely uponvtheknitting elements with the result that there is always considerabledifllculty due to bending or breaking of the butts or to lack of properalignment, the present invention permits the use of a. pattern wheelacting on a pla-ne perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder and actingdirectly on the nubs or other portions of the selective elements so asto avoid these diillculties. y i

In many instances it is desirable that all the actuators have the samesize and conguration, sothat they may be kept together and utilized asVdesired without sorting. To this end the pattern wheell and theactuators may be so formed as to permit actuators to protrude atdifferent extents when diierently placed. For 85 instance, the patternwheel may be formed with two or more sets of notches'or projections, sothat when a projection or vnotch in an actuator registers with one ofthese the end of the actuator will be at one distance from the pattern'an arrangement similar tov that of Figs. 1-4, but

of this type wherein a pattern wheel 33d comprises a lower plate or disc36a having an lnwardly disposed notch 46 and an upper plate 31d havingan outwardly disposed notch 41. Actuators l38d are provided. These haveprojections 40d adapted to register with a notch 46 when the projectionis turned downwardly or 'with a notch 41 when the projection 40d isturned upwardly. In the former case, as shown in Fig. 6, the actuatorprojects a short distance -from the pattern wheel, and in the lattercase the actuator projects an additional distance.

Selective elements may be arranged to be rocked on their inner portionsor may be swung on a special pivot as desired. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 alsoillustrate selective elements 21d, each mounted on a pivot 48 integralwith knitting elements 22d. In these figures, there is also shown anvarrangement whereby the pattern wheel is rotated by meshing withprojections on the knitting elements. In the present instance, the upperplate 31d is formed with a toothed periphery 49, adapted to receiveprojections 50 ,on the knitting elements 22d.

If desired, the actuator may be formed with a forward portion which willprotrude different extents when in opposite positions and the patternwheel may be formed to retain the actuators in such positions. Such anarrangement is shown in Fig. 8 wherein there is illustrated anarrangement similar to that of Figs. 1-4 as modied in Figs. 5-7, exceptas indicated. lI-Iere there is provided a selective element 21e similarto the element 21d except that its upper portion is longitudinallyextended. The upper plate 31e of the pattern wheel 33e isformed with anannular projection 5I, and there are employed actu ators 38e providedwith upper and lower notches 52 each of which isadaptedto register withthe rim 5I depending upon the position of the actuator. The lower plate36e is formed to receive the actuator regardless of its position. Theforward end of the actuator extends a distance beyond its center line,as indicated at 53, and extends forwardly at this point so that when theactuator is in the position shown in heavy lines it will press inwardlythe portion 29e of the selective element 21e a less distance than whenin th position shown in dot-and-dash lines.

In certain instances it is desirable that the selective element beformed with stepped shoulders at each of its ends so that it may beshifted longitudinally in either direction as desired, depending uponthe position into which it has been swung. One such arrangement isillustrated in Fig. 9 wherein there is exemplified a verticalneedle'cylinder 20j carrying a series of needles 22,* having pivotedlatches 54 at their upper ends and carrying also a series of sinkers 55in a sinker ring 56. The needles 22f rest in slots 2If between ribs 51on the cylinder. Each needle carries at its lower end a pivot element48j on which there is swingingly mounted a selective element 21f adaptedto be acted upon by a pattern wheel 331. At the lower portion of theselective element there are provided stepped shoulders 43j and M]adapted to be operated upon by a cam 451, and at its upper end there areprovided stepped shoulders 58 and 59 adapted to be operated upon by astitch cam 60. l

As will be seen, when the element 21j is in the position shown in Fig. 9the cam 45j will act upon the shoulder 44f to raise the selectiveelement a full distance and the needle with it; when the selectiveelement has not been acted upon by vever, because of the provision ofthe shoulder 58 the cam 60 may be made to act in a variety of selectivemanners upon the selective elements, depending upon a suitable settingof the selective elements after the passage of the cam 45j. Such settingmay be performed by a suitable member, such for instance as a patternwheel 42a in the nature of the pattern wheel 33j, positioned similarlyto the position of the roller 42j and acting on the lower portions ofthe selective elements. After such setting the selective elements, whichhave been fully raised by the cam 45j and which remain in a fullclockwise position will not beV retracted by the stitch cam 60.Accordingly, an 25 associated needle may receive a yarn without knittingit. If the selective element has been moved to a full counter-clockwiseposition after it has been lifted by the cam 45j, the ordinary knittingoperation will take place. been moved to an intermediate position afterbeing fully raised by the cam 45j the cam 60 will action the shoulder58. and will cause merely a short stitch with or without casting, as maybe desired. As will be appreciated, if a pattern wheel is substitutedfor the roller 42f a roller may be substituted for the pattern wheel331, if desired, or for the performance of more complicated operationspattern wheels may be utilized at each point. As exemplified, thepatternA 40 wheel 33f comprises a single rotating disc 31! and in thisdisc is formed the slots indicated at 6I in which the actuators 38f'areset. The disc 31j has a toothed periphery 62 which meshes withprojections63 on the ribs 51 so as to ro- 45 tate the disc upon theshaft 32j carried by'the annulus 30j. Beneath the disc 31) is astationary disc 64 flxedly secured tothe annulus 30f and carryingacontinuous, generally annular, upward projection 65. Each of theactuators 38j is formed with a forward notch 66 and a rearward notch 61.VThus there is provided, as in the case of Fig. 1, mutually abuttingmeans on the pattern wheel and on the actuator members to assure thatthe actuator members will be properly positioned.. In this connection itis to be noted that the terms rotatable pattern member, rotatablepattern means, rotary pattern member, pattern wheel?, pattern drum, andthe like, are used herein to include not only 60 members all parts ofwhich rotate on their axes during operation, but also members. withwhich include relatively stationary guide means and the like which arenevertheless a part ,of the pattern member in effect, and such termsare' to be so 65 understood. V

As will be seen, the effective extent of the actuators 38f depends uponwhether the actuator is inserted so that the notch 66 registers with thecontinuous projection 65, or so that 70 the notch 61 registers with it.In the present instance, the projection 65 is irregularly shaped so asto eifect a camming action as the actuators approach the selectiveelements, and to thrust the actuators forwardly at this point.

If it has 3Q I'his forward thrust permits the actuators readily to i'ltinto the slots in the cylinder. This arrangement is desirable in caseswhere the selective elements are disposed somewhat rearwardly of theeiective periphery of the needle cylinder; where -a particularly largeswinging movement of the selective elements is desired; or where finegage machines are utilized. As will be seen the slotted portion of thedisc 3'lf is formed with a recess 69 adapted to receive the continuousprojection 65. 'I'he shaft 32j is spread outwardly at 69 to provide ashoulder against which the disc 64 is held by a nut 69. Movement of thestationary disc 64 isthus prevented.

As will be apparent various other types of selective elements,actuators, rotating pattern members and other elements may be utilized.Certain of these are exemplied hereinafter. It will also be understoodthat needle beds such as exemplied may be disposed at any desired anglewith respect to the horizontal and may be of any desired shape.

As has been indicated, the pattern wheel .or other rotating element andthe selecting cam (e. g. 45 or 45j) are desirably suiiiciently'spaced topermit the wiping out of the settings eiectuated by the pattern wheelprior to the operation' of the selecting cam. For example, there aremany instances when it is desirable to knit several rows of plain Jerseycloth intermediate repetitions of a given pattern, and there are otherinstances whenit is desirable to prevent needles at oney or more yarnfeeds from knitting while a given pattern is being knit at other yarnfeeds. Again, it is often desirable to intermingle with certain patternsa, number of rows of knitting in which yarns are interlocked by amethod, for instance, as set forth in my Patent No. 1,541,230, dated.lunev 9, 1925. This may involve, fdr instance, moving only alternateneedles to tucking positions at one yarn feed (the intermediate needlespassing the yarn), and moving all of the needles to casting position atthe next yarn feed. Furthermore, there are a variety of other variationsin the operation of needles and other knitting elements which aredesirable to effectuate at certain stages of the knitting, and to thisend the invention in certain of its aspects contemplates the provisionof means which may be operative at certain times during the knitting tore-set the selective elements after the passage of the pattern wheel andbefore the operation of the selecting cam. One form of mechanism to thisend adapted for operation in connection with the type of mechanismillustrated in Figs. 9 and l0 is exemplified in Figs. 11, l2, 13 and 14.This mechanism includes an upper roller 'i9 adapted when moved inwardlyto press inwardly the upper ends of the selective elements 2li, a roller'H adapted when moved inwardly to press in the lower ends of theselective elements 2li, and a wheel 'l2 adapted when pressed inwardly toeiectuate a positioning wherein every other selective element is in aposition with its lower end extending inwardly, and wherein theremaining selective elements are in an. intermediate position. The wheel'I2 comprises a lower disc 13 having teeth 'M adapted to press the lowerend of every other selective element inwardly and notches l5 arrangedfor the intermediate positioning of the selective elements. The wheer'lalso comprises an upper disc 16 having teeth Tl the outer diameter ofwhich is the lsame as the inner diameter of the notchesl 15, and notches18 adapted to receive the upper ends of selective plied one type ofautomatic control of such movement. The elements lll, 'i2 and .19 areindividually mounted on arms H9 each centrally pivoted at t@ and tendingunder the inuence 10 ci a spring 9i to thrust its roller or wheelinwardly. The free end of each arm carries'a. lug 92 which is normallyheld in an inward positionagainst the tension of the spring by means ofa catch 89. Each catch is normally held in ef- 15 fective position by aspring 89, but is releasable by pressure on it by a rod 85. In order tomove the rods inwardly in a selective manner, there is provided acylinder 96 having at suitable points on its periphery protuberances 8iwhich are pref- 20 erably removably mounted in holes 99. The cylindermay be rotated step-by-step either manually or by pattern-controlmechanism, such for lnstance as hereinafter described., Whenever aprotuberance 9i registers with a rod 95 the rod will 25 move inwardly,the catch will be released, and the spring 8l will pull the free end ofthe arm 19 outwardly so that the roller or wheel will move inwardly. Inorder to restore the lugs 92 behind the catches' there are providedsupplemental 30v rods 89 adapted to be pressed inwardly by protuberances99 on the cylinder 96. When such a rod is pressed inwardly bya'protuberance 90, the rod presses an arm 'i9 inwardly to bring its lug92 under the catch 93. 35

The form ofmechanism for automatically stepping the cylinder 89 hereexemplified comprises a pawl 9i acting on a ratchet 92 at the base ofthe cylinder and pivotally mounted on one endv of an arm 93. A spring 9dis provided to hold the 4o pawl in place and a spring 95 tends to holdagainst a stop 96 the arm 93 which is pivoted at 91. At the free end ofthe arm there is provided a. pressure surface 99. A pressure disc 99 isprovided for selective engagement with the pressure sur- 45 face 98 toswing the arm 93 against the pressure of the spring 95. The disc 99 iscarried'on a. post i 09 encircled by one end of an arm IUI which. isstationary with respect to the needle cylinder.

The disc 99 normally is in a position beneath the 50 y lower end of thesurface 99 so as to pass it without contact, but is adapted to be raisedby a lever i 92 so as to contact with the surface 99 and cause the pawlto slip back one notch. 'I'he lever E92 which is pivoted at m9 may belifted from. time 65 to time by suitable mechanism such as protuberances99 on a pattern chain S95. Any desired number of dims 99 and operatingmechanism therefor may be disposed about the machine.

Similar wiping out or re-setting mechanism 60 may be utilizedintermediate the operations of any type of rotating element andselecting cam or other members to re-set the selective elements. InFigs. 15 and 15a one such form of mechanism arranged for operation inconnection with mech- 05 anism such as shown'in Fig. l is exemplified.Intermediatev the pattern wheel 33 and the cam 95 there are providedupper and lower rollers 10a and llg and an interlocking wheel 12g, Eachof these members is carried by an arm 19g pivoted 70 at 99g and normallypulled inwardly" bya spring tlg. At the free end of each arm there isprovided a nub |06 adapted to be pressed outwardly by protuberances lillremovably mounted on a. cylinder 86g which may be operated by members 75as |08, on the cylinder 86g where there is no protuberance |01, theroller 10g Will be operative and the needles will knit plain Jerseycloth (or will properly operate in connection with an interlockingsetting at a previous yarn feed) until the pawl 9| is operated to movethe cylinder. When the nub on the lower arm registers with a point suchas |09 where there is no protuberance, the needles on the succeedingyarn feed 2B will not catch the yarn at all until the cylinder 86g hasagain been moved forward a step. When the nub on the middle armregisters with a point such as I|0 where there is no protuberance, the

needles will be alternately in retracted and partia'lly raised positionsfor an interlocking operation at the yarn feed 26.

In instances where it is desired to obtain the advantages of the use ofre-setting mechanism without re-setting the parts, there may be utilizeda rotatable member carrying adjustable actuators and means automaticallyto adjust the actuators for varying operations. Such means also lendsitself to operations where radical changes in the type of design atdifferent stages of the knitting are desirable; and in cases where somesacrifice in simplicity is permissible, means of this character may beutilized. One type of .such means is exemplified in Figs. 16, 1'7 and18,

wherein there is illustrated a needle bed 20h formed with a series ofslots 2Ih carrying knitting elements in the form of latch needles 22h..On each needle there is pivotally mounted a selective element 21h. Anannulus 30h. is mounted for movement relative to the needle bed andcarries a suitable cam 45h for selective operation of the selectiveelementsin a manner similar to the action of the cam 45 on the elements21.

`The element 30h also carries a rotatable pattern member somewhat in thenature of a pattern wheel and mounted on a bearing ||2. The patternmember includes a disc I|3 formed with peripheral teeth |I4 meshing withprojections 4 ||5 which extend from the needle bed between the slots2|h. This pattern member is formed about its periphery with slots |I6 inwhich are set adjustable actuators |I1. The actuators are heldin placeby a pivotspring I i8 at their lower ends and by a spring I|9 whichtends to move them toward the axis of the pattern member. Each actuatoris provided with an outward projeotion |20 adapted to register with aselective Velement and with varyingv conformations on its inner sidealong a multiplicity of positions. In

the present instance such conformations are disf posed at eightpositions. Within the pattern member at the side adjacent the needle bedthere are provided a multiplicity of cam elements |2| (eight in thepresent instance) mounted on a plvot'rod I2 I' and normally thrustagainst a cylinder |22 which is xed on a shaft |23. Springs |24 mayprovide this thrust. The shaft |23 is disposed at the side of the axisof the pattern member remote from the needle bed and is mounted forrotation within the bearing member II2. It will be seen that the patternmember' provides a series of configurations of a multi-- plicity ofdifferent types consisting of the members |20 under the influence of anoperative element |2| as the pattern member movespastthe bed. Verticallydisposed on the cylinder |22 are eight series of vertically-disposedholes |25, and in certain of these holes are selectively disposedremovable protuberances |26. At the bottom of the shaft |23 is a ratchet|21 whereby one or 10 another of the series of holes may be moved to aposition in line with the elements |2|. A suitable mechanism may beprovided for effectuating desired rotations of the shaft |23 from timeto time in the operation of the machine, as desired. 15, The mechanismexemplified comprises a pawl |28 pivoted at |29 on an arm |30 and heldby a` spring |3| against the ratchet. The pawl is retracted'to a desiredextent by the arm |30 and returned by a spring |32. The movements of the20 arm |30 are effectuated by a pressurey disc |33 acting on a pressuresurface |34 on the arm. The disc |33 may be operated by mechanism of thecharacter utilized in operating the disc.99. It isv to be observed thatthe inner conformations on 25 the actuators comprise surfaces at threepositlons;-an inner position |31, an intermediate position |38; and anouter position |39;so that, provided that a surface in position |31 isin line with an element |2|, when the element |2| is 30 projected by aprotuberance |26 it will press the actuator all the way out lfrom thepattern Wheel and swing the selective element so that its lower end isall the way out from the cylinder. If a` surface |38 is in line with theelement |2| the 35 actuator and the selective element will be moved onlypart way, and if a surface |39 is in line with the element |2|, theactuator and the selective element will not be moved at all, or at leastwill not be moved to a material extent. Accordingly, .40 the type ofknitting operations to 'be performed will be determined by which of theelements |2| is projected by a protuberance on the cylinder |22'. Forinstance, if a series vof holes |25 containing no protuberances. isaligned with the ele- 45 ments I2 I, the actuators will all be heldinwardly by the spring I9 and will not affect the selective elements, sothat if they have been properly positioned with their lower endsinwardly, the cam 45h would not aiect them and the yarn carried 50 bythe yarn feed corresponding Ito the particular pattern member will notbe caught by the needles.

If each of the actuators is formed with an inwardly-extending surface.|31 in line with the lowermost element |2|, the projection of this 55element will cause all of the selective elements t0 be in the positionshown at full lines, and if the knitting -elements 23h are latchedneedles will cause them to knit Jersey cloth. Again, if alternateactuators have an outward surface |39 60 in position in line with thesecond element |2|, and if the remaining actuators have an intermediatesurface |38 in line with this actuator,"

the actuators will operate upon the selective elements so that the camwill move these to cause 65 latched needles to be positioned to receiveyarn for interlocking. If at a position in line with` the thirdselective element |2| afew of the actur ators have an inward surface |31and the remaining actuators have an intermediate surface |38, the actionwill be such that latched needles will perform a tucking operation.Various unusual and pleasing patterns may-be performed by arranging theconfigurations in line with the I fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh andeighth elements4

